Xbox 360 Wired Headset troubleshooting for Windows 10

Symptom

When you use your Xbox 360 Wired Headset, you hear no sound from the earpiece.

Note The Xbox 360 Wired Headset is designed for use with licensed Xbox 360 devices only. The headset is not intended to be used with any other device. The Xbox 360 console does not transmit game sounds or music through the Xbox 360 Wired Headset.

Causes

You may experience this problem if:

The connection port is dirty.

Privacy or Family settings are configured incorrectly.

Your Xbox 360 Wired Headset is faulty.

Things to try

Try the following general solutions first. If you continue to experience a problem with your Xbox 360 Wired Headset, see More information, below.

Examine and clean your Xbox hardware

To do this, follow these steps:

Examine the headset, the cord and the connector for visible defects.

Make sure that no dirt or debris is on the headset connector. To clean the connector, use a cotton bud dipped in surgical spirit.

Verify that your Xbox 360 Controller operates correctly. Verify that you can use the controller to turn on and turn off the console.

Firmly insert the Xbox 360 Wired Headset connector into the expansion port that is under the directional pad (D-pad) and the right stick on the controller.

If these steps do not resolve the problem, go to the next section.

Test the headset

To do this, you will need to download Skype:

Turn on your Xbox 360 Controller and ensure that your Xbox Guide button has a green light in quadrant one to indicate that it’s turned on and assigned to a user.

If these steps didn’t resolve the problem, see "More information" below.

More information

Try the following solutions if you experience any of these additional problems.

You do not hear sound from the earpiece

Increase the volume on the headset. To do this, rotate the volume control on the headset cable connector.

Make sure that the volume level is set correctly and that the volume is not muted in the volume mixer in the PC.

If these steps don’t resolve the problem, you may need to replace your Xbox 360 Wired Headset.

You hear an echo or noise during gameplay

Note This echo effect originates from the person who is talking and not necessarily from the person who hears the echo. For example, if you hear an echo only when someone else talks, the problem concerns that person’s headset connection, not yours.

The following conditions may cause an echo or noise during gameplay:

The microphone detects ambient noises. This includes voice transmission that comes from the earpiece.

The headset plug is not fully inserted into the controller.

You’re using the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, and the battery levels in the unit are low.

If you or other players hear an echo or other noise during gameplay, try one of the following:

Turn down the volume on your PC.

Disconnect the headset from the controller, and then reconnect it.

Clean the plug on the headset cable with a clean cloth, and then reconnect the headset to the controller.

Test the headset by connecting it to a different controller, if one is available to you.

If you’re using an Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, replace the AA batteries or recharge the Xbox 360 rechargeable battery.